Last week's Taste article about Ina Garten (the Barefoot Contessa) that included her admission that she wasn't a fan of cilantro brought this fascinating response from food writer Chris Dunn, who frequently writes for the Express-News.

“Cilantro, also known as coriander leaf or Chinese parsley, is one of the most beloved and widely used herbs in the world — and one of the most hated. While some people describe cilantro as citrusy, earthy and nutty, others say it tastes and smells like soap,” he wrote.

“It has to do with aldehydes, which are present in the plant and the way people perceive them. Aldehydes are organic compounds made up of modified fatty substances, which are often quite pungent. And the aldehydes in cilantro are very similar to or the same as those found in soap or in the body fluids exuded by the bug family of insects. Some people may be genetically hard-wired to hate the herb because of a subliminal perception of it as something that shouldn't be eaten.

“If you're one of those people, the good news is that repeated exposure to cilantro may diminish the negative reaction you have toward it, as your brain begins to realize it won't kill you if you eat it. You may even come to appreciate its freshness and unique flavor.”

“She has brought a passion and vision to that office and we have been well served over her tenure on the (Texas Restaurant Association) staff,” Richie Jackson, CEO of the Texas restaurant group wrote in an email announcing her retirement. “While we will miss the day-to-day interaction with Yolie, we will still be well represented as she starts a new phase of her career doing the thing she loves the most as an advocate and lobbyist.”